Thanksgiving - According to the U.S. Founding Fathers

Not quite sure how long it has been since I've posted something meaningful here, but a friend of mine posted this link on his facebook so I thought I would share it. It is about Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations.
It is both enlightening and confirming. Enlightening to be reminded that our country has not always been so anti-God as it is becoming in these days. And confirming in that it affirms that which some of us know, that the men that founded this country were God-fearing men, and believed in giving thanks to the the one true God, contrary to what history books now try to teach.

Presidents George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison all made Presidential Proclamations, endorsed by congress, that we should give thanks to the one true God.
Later, in 1861, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States proclaimed a day of national humiliation and prayer. David also called on the Confederate States to give thanks after victories in major battles of the Civil War.
President Abraham Lincoln did likewise in 1862 and 1863.
Later in 1863 President Lincoln began the first of an unbroken series of autumn proclamations, that was continued after his death by Presidents Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and continues as a tradition through today's proclamation by President Obama.

The flavor of the proclamation has changed because the hearts delivering it have changed, but we still have the opportunity to acknowledge the sovereignty of God and the blessings of His hand on our nation. Let us so do.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Are Women Born This Way?

A lady friend sent me this video. It is pretty amusing?

A Rare Thing

It is a rare thing for me to post a blog these days. Life is hectic and busy; time to sit long enough to think about writing and figuring out what to write has seemed to take way too much effort. (It probably doesn't help that I sit at a computer pretty much all day anyway...)

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God has impeccable timing!

Three weeks ago we went over to the townhouse my 85 year-old grandmother was buying in Canon City. It was ok, but it needed substantial work, paint, had old appliances, etc., and the selling realtor had been terrible and been in breach of contract multiple times. It had a one car garage (and she has a bigger car). It would have been a very tight fit for her car and for her getting in and out. Like I said, okay, but not great.
When we got there we saw that the townhouse right next door had just been put up for sale. We went over and looked at it. It was nearly immaculate, a little bigger and had a two car garage that would easily fit her car, and all new appliances. My grandmother made an offer that morning and the couple selling the place were ecstatic. Today we're moving her into that second townhouse.

God is so good!

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Our son is graduating from college next weekend. Wow! Where does the time go? It really seems like it was not that long ago that we were taking my son to college with all his stuff and helping him move in. Now, in a week, he'll be done and we'll be helping him move into an apartment.
Two months from now, he'll be getting married.

I shake my head in wonderment as I consider these things. It does not seem that long ago that he came into the world; that I carried him in my arms, put him on my shoulders and treasured having a son... now he's finishing college and getting married. Wow!

God is so good!

Our oldest daughter is about to finish her second year of college and this has been a year of redemption and healing for her. She has excelled in her classes and worked hard to bring her GPA up after having real difficulty with one series of classes last year. There is now a Godly young man in her life who blesses her and cares for her. He has a good head on his shoulders and a thought out plan for his life. That seems like a rare thing these days. I like him. That says a lot. :) I'm so blessed to see the maturity that God is working in her life and her heart to follow Christ.

God is so good!

Our youngest daughter is concluding her junior year of high school and is ever a joy. She sings nearly continuously. She wants to be involved in everything. We often feel like we have to try to put reigns on her (whoa girl!) to help her keep from being OVER-COMMITTED. She is in that tough stage in between being a kid and an adult and is in the process of learning how to deal with life as an adult. I remember that time in my life - I think it took me 20 years to get through it. She is a very spiritually perceptive young lady and has a tender heart for people and for the Lord. She is a blessing to everyone around her.

God is so good!

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Off to the day ahead.

--Blessings--

Blog Surfing or Divine Direction

Just a short post...

I was reading my son's blog today and noted a link on his blog to one of his recommendations. It is a post by Lauren on Britt and Lauren's blog regarding the result of the recent elections. She reminds readers that God has not failed to be in control regardless of the outcome.

I appreciate the fact that there are young people in this country that:
1) Didn't fall into the 'Follow Obama' fad.
2) Still hear the speaking of the Holy Spirit saying I (God) am in control. Don't be swayed by every wind and wave in these stormy times.

The Spirit showed me the outcome of this election long before the votes were counted. I believe that our new president elect is one that God intends to use to attempt to awaken the comfortable, slumbering church. The truth of God's love and His Redemption for man is desperately needed in this increasingly narcissistic society in which we live. Only God can satisfy the longings of hearts and church of God is needed to spread the Good News.

Heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit as you said you would in these last days.

Too, too long

It has been too, too long since I've posted. I've struggled at times thinking, I should go write (blog) something, and then sat down and not really know what to write.
So here I sit to ramble on for a few hopefully coherent moments as I now reflect on a year that is nearly 5/6 past and wondering just where it has gone.
It has been a busy year and a full year. Much has happened. Much continues to be happening.

• My wife is moving into having a career because it is where God is directing her. He has given her a vision for the church that puts her in the place where her employer wants her at the helm of the product development - because it is His vision for the church.

• My son, my oldest "child," has started his senior year of college and now has a wonderful young lady to whom he has recently become engaged. She is a joy and a welcome addition to our family.

• My oldest daughter is in her second year of college - nursing and is having a very good year - A redeeming year for her. Last year was a difficult and trying year for her, but it caused her to grow tremendously in the Lord. I can't say how grateful I am for how she is doing now.

• My youngest daughter is the "busy" one. She always has been and she continues to go at light speed from one activity to another. School musical - to music competition - to mock trial - to spring play - and whatever else she thinks she can squeeze in.

Me - I've had a good year. I've worked a lot. I trained quite a bit. I did a couple major mountain bike races. I got to go to the Interbike convention (the revealing of all the new years bikes and bike toys). I have enjoyed my family. I have missed having the time I would have liked to have had with my parents.
The year has gone by too fast. I consider that it is the middle of October and I look back and wonder how the time has flown by so quickly. I am decided that I am definitely not ready for it to be late fall with snow just around the corner any day.

This is a good life! Thank God for it!
There is much to look forward to in the days ahead. In another post perhaps I'll venture into the things that I see the Lord wanting to work in the hearts of His church, His people, His bride. There may be difficulties, but there will be exceeding joy - heart peace - for those who rest in God and trust in Jesus Christ.

-- Blessings

Racing the Clock Around the Clock

This last weekend I participated in one of the major mountain biking events I've been preparing for this year - 24 Hours in the Sage - a 24 hour race in Gunnison, CO. It is a race to see how many laps can be ridden in a 24 hour period. Some people ride it solo, some as a duo, some as a four man team.
I was part of a four man team that rode 16 laps and I think we did pretty well, even if we did come in last. ;) It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the experience, including riding at night which I've only done one time prior and not on a difficult trail.

Now both of the major events that I had planned on this year, the Laramie Enduro and the 24 Hours in the Sage are past it is time to just ride and have fun and get some things done around the house that haven't been taken care of yet. I'm sure my wife will be glad of that.

Great Family Picture

I love this picture that was taken while my son was visiting.
Pictured from left-to-right:
Abi, Jaimie (in front), Chris, Beth, Kerry, David